Method of making artificial eyelashes using ultrasonic means



June 3, 1969 B. B. OSHER 3,447,540

METHOD OF MAKING ARTIFICIAL EYELASHES USING ULTRASONIC MEANS Filed Feb. 14, 1966 Sheet INVENTOR BENJAMIN B. OSHER June 3, 1969 OSHER 3,447,540

METHOD OF MAKING ARTIFICIAL EYELASHES USING ULTRASONIC MEANS Filed Feb. 14, 1966 Sheet 3 of 2 FIG. 9

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ATTORNEY United States Patent ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A method and means for making false eyelashes to be used as beauty aids, and wherein ultrasonic energy is used for sealing or fusing the filaments and root strips together.

This invention relates to false or artificial eyelashes, and in particular to a method of and means for making such false eyelashes.

An object of this invention therefore is to provide a method and means for making false eyelashes to be used as beauty aids, and wherein the false eyelashes are made of a suitable plastic such as nylon, and wherein the filaments and root strips are ultrasonically sealed together.

Another object of this invention is to provide false eyelashes wherein the root strips are ultrasonically sealed to the filaments so that no adhesive or glue, coating, knots or the like are used or needed.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a method of and means for custom crafting lashes, and wherein the false eyelashes made in accordance with the present invention have a permanent, natural curl, and wherein the false eyelashes are washable and hypo-allergenic, and possess increased wearability, and wherein the false eyelashes possess improved characteristics from the point of view of price, durability and ease in handling, and wherein they curl easily and shape readily, and wherein the manufacture is adapted to be accomplished with machine precision and in a rapid and inexpensive manner as compared to previous methods of making false eyelashes.

These and other objects of this invention will be apparent from a consideration of the specification and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 illustrates a first step in making the false eyelashes in accordance with the present invention where in a protective guard or platform is arranged on a mandrel or support.

FIGURE 2 illustrates the placement or positioning of a first helical coil of nylon filament thereon.

FIGURE 3 illustrates the step of next placing two base strips or root strips on top of the first coil of filaments.

FIGURE 4 illustrates the steps of placing a second helical coil of nylon filaments on the mandrel with the second filaments overlying the root strips.

FIGURE 5 illustrates the mandrel in position over the heating elements or heating zone to cause the filaments to take a permanent set.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the mandrel adjacent to a cooling fan or zone.

FIGURE 7 is a view showing a protective strip applied to the mandrel.

FIGURE 8 illustrates the steps of ultrasonically fusing or sealing the filaments and root strips together and simultaneously cutting the same.

FIGURE 9 illustrates the next step wherein the eyelash material is cut into predetermined lengths and mounted on a card.

FIGURE 10 illustrates the false eyelashes after being acted upon by a suitable punch.

FIGURE 11 illustrates the false eyelashes placed on a board for inspection or the like.

3,447,540 Patented June 3, 1969 FIGURE 12 is a view illustrating the step of applying adhesive to the base or root strip.

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view showing the fals eyelashes made in accordance with the present invention attached to a display or shipping card or member.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 30 indicates a mandrel or support which is adapted to have a protective guard or platform strip 31 arranged thereon, and the guard 31 may be retained in place in any suitable manner as for example by means of fastening tapes 32. The guard 31 is adapted to have its longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel 30. Next, as shown in FIGURE 2, a first coil of nylon monofilament 33 is wound in a helical manner around the platform 31 and mandrel 30, and then, as shown in FIGURE 3, two root strips 34 are arranged on top of the coiled filaments 33, and the root strips 34 are adapted to have their ends fastened to the mandrel 30 as at 35. As a next step, a second coil 36 of nylon monofilament is wound in a helical manner over the two root strips 34, as shown in FIG- URE 4, and then, as shown in FIGURE 5, the mandrel is adapted to be moved through or adjacent to a heating zone 37, and a plurality of the mandrels 30 may be moved by means of a suitable conveyor mechanism as indicated by the numeral 38 in FIGURE 5. This heating zone 37 causes the filaments to take a permanent set.

Next, the mandrel is adapted to be cooled as for example by means of a suitable cooling mechanism 39. Then, a protective strip 40 is placed over the root strips as shown in FIGURE 7. Then, as shown in FIGURE 8, the root strips and filaments are ultrasonically fused and sealed together by means of a suitable ultrasonic tool 41 and at the same time the members are cut to the desired size.

In FIGURE 9 there is shown the eyelashes 42 cut into predetermined lengths and mounted on a card or member 43. As a next step, as illustrated in FIGURE 10, the false eyelashes are subjected to the action of a punch to produce the configuration indicated by the numeral 44 in FIGURE 10. Then, as shown in FIGURE 11, the eyelashes 45 are adapted to be placed on a board or the like as indicated by the numeral 46, for inspection or the like. In FIGURE 12 there is illustrated a next step wherein the eyelashes are adapted to have a quantity of adhesive applied thereto in any suitable manner, as for example by means of a manually operable member 48, and in FIG- URE 12 the numerals 49 indicate the fingers or hands of the operator or worker. Finally, as shown in FIGURE 13, the completed articles or false eyelashes 51 are adapted to be suitably mounted on a support or display member 50 whereby they can be subsequently packaged and conveniently sold to consumers and the like.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that in accordance with the present invention there has been provided a method of and means for making false or artificial eyelashes, and in use, with the parts arranged as shown in the drawings, the root strips and filaments are ultrasonically sealed together so that the false eyelashes are made without using any glue, adhesive, coating, knots or the like for securing the parts together. In carrying out the process of the present invention, initially a protective guard or platform strip 31 is arranged on a mandrel such as the mandrel 30, and then a first coil of filament 33 is wound in a helical manner as shown in FIG- URE 2, and then the double thickness of root strips 34 are tied or fastened in place as at 35 at one end of the mandrel. Then, a second coil 36 of nylon monofilament is wound in a helical manner over the double root strip 34, FIGURE 4, and the mandrel is then moved contiguous to through a heating Zone such as that indicated by the numeral 37 in FIGURE 5. In the heating zone 37, the material is given a permanent set by action of the heat from the element or mechanism 37, and it is to be understood that any suitable conveying means such as that indicated by the numeral 38 can be used for moving the mandrels 30 through the heating zone at the desired rate of speed. After leaving the heating zone, the mandrels are moved to a cooling zone as indicated by the numeral 39 in FIGURE 6, and subsequently a strip of tape or other material as indicated by the numeral 30 is adapted to be applied as shown in FIGURE 7, and then the material is subjected to the action of an ultrasonic sealing tool 31 as illustrated in FIGURE 8 and this ultrasonic sealing tool 31 serves to fuse the root strips and filaments together, and simultaneously cuts the material to the desired length. A strip of adhesive material may be placed on the loose ends, and the long strips can be cut into individual lengths and at the same time they can be trimmed as to the desired or proper length. Subsequently, the articles are moved to inspection stations where they are periodically checked and subsequentially packaged after adhesive has been applied thereto.

In FIGURE 9 the lashes are shown mounted on a card or the like, While in FIGURE 10 there is illustrated the articles or lashes 44 after having been subjected to the action of a punch mechanism. In FIGURE 11 the articles 45 are shown mounted on a suitable board or the like for inspection purposes, and in FIGURE 12 a member 38 is being used for applying adhesive to the root strip. In FIGURE 13 the eyelashes are shown attached to a display or shipping carton or support. In FIGURE 13 it will be noted that the finished false eyelashes 51 have lash hairs 52 as well as base strips or root strips 53. The lash hairs 52 correspond to the previously described filaments 33' and 36, while the base strips 53 correspond to the previously described root strips 34.

The artificial or false eyelashes made in accordance with the present invention are natural looking and are professionally shaped and feathered for immediate wear, and the false eyelashes readily lend themselves to quick and easy wash and wear, and the false eyelashes are hyoallergenic, and in addition the false eyelashes are made of pure material and contain no foreign substances that could cause irritation. The separate lashes are ultrasonically bonded or sealed to the support portion or root strip so that an integral artificial or false eyelash of unitary construction is provided by means of the ultrasonic sealing.

It will be seen that according to the present invention the nylon filaments and root strips are formed into a unitary article without using any type of adhesive, coating, glue or the like and the entire formation of the article is substantially brought about merely by the application of ultrasonic energy and without any need for any chemical substance.

Suitable knives or cutting members can be used for simultaneously severing the filaments and root strips so as to provide a plurality of lashes.

The false eyelashes of the present invention are characterized by the absence of any adhesive or the like between the filaments and the root strip. Thus, there is provided a unitary article or false eyelash wherein the filaments and root strips are in effect of an integral construction and this joining of the filaments to the root strip is brought about solely by the use of ultrasonic sealing. By using the ultrasonic sealing, the filaments are actually fused or integrated into the root strips so that the article becomes an integral piece, and thus the need of an adhesive or coating or glue with the attendant disadvantages thereof is eliminated. By making the lash of a nylon material, a stronger and tougher lash is provided which takes a better set. The lashes are integrated into the unitary construction which results in the lashes being ultrasonically sealed to the root strip. The entire lashes are made solely of nylon whereby the finished articles have increased strength and are more natural looking and have a more permanent arrangement. It is to be noted that in accordance with the present invention, the root strips 34 of double thickness are interposed :between the first and second nylon coils 33 and 36, and the lashes are subsequently subjected to the action of the ultrasonic energy.

I The false eyelashes of the present invention are adapted to be attractively packaged as for example by means of a member 50 which can be arranged in a convenient package, and when the articles are so arranged they can be sold or merchandised as a pair to wear and a spare in every kit. Then, it is only necessary to press on the lashes and the lashes are custom crafted and are provided with a preadhesive, and are permanent and provided with a natural curl and are washable and hypo-allergenic. They will wear longer than other types of lashes and the pair can be pretrimmed and feathered, while the spare is interchangeable. A kit may include an extra supply of cosmetic adhesive, together with instructions and the lashes.

The mandrel can be of different shapes or sizes and for example may have a cylindrical formation or it may have an elliptical formation and by using such an elliptical shaped mandrel, a natural shaped lash can be provided. The present invention closely approaches or approximates human lashes. In addition, inasmuch as no coating or glue is used, the present invention possesses superiority over such lashes which do use a coating or glue inasmuch as the use of such coating or glue results in an uneven smeared effect between the lashes since the adhesive spreads out, and in addition such adhesive has a tendency to sometimes irritate the eye. Thus, with the present invention the lashes are not bonded to a root strip with a chemical means, :but the parts are actually fused together. In actual practice the helical coil filaments are placed both above and below the root strips as previously stated. By putting the filaments both above and below the root strips, certain important advantages are achieved such as eliminating reverse curling. In addition the finished lashes do not have a bulky construction. The lashes of the present invention are of superior quality and have increased uniformity and possess advantages from the point of view of shaping, and feathering, and a more uniform bond is achieved. If desired, a strip of material such as a strip of Mylar may be used to compensate for uneven mandrel surfaces.

The lashes made in accordance with the present invention have a natural or real look, and a very thin root strip can be used since no coating is utilized.

The lash hairs as indicated by the numeral 52 are the main body of the lash, and the base strip 53 holds the lash hairs in place and has the adhesive applied thereto. While heretofore some false eyelashes have been made of human hair or animal hair, the plastic lashes have certain important advantages and for example can be made economically, and are durable and easily handled and in addition they hold curl and shape best. The fine plastic hair-like thread is ultrasonically sealed to the root strip, and the base strip and lashes are curled with heat and thus given a permanent curl so as to permit the lashes to be washed without losing shape. In addition, all manufacture can be accomplished With machine precision and more rapidly and inexpensively than the hand operation required for real hair lashes. The lashes are adapted to be feathered or shaped by cutting the hairs at dilferent lengths so as to make the outer ends of the lash hairs uneven and therefore more natural in shape and appearance, and this is illustrated in FIGURE 10. The adhesive that is applied as in FIGURE 12 may be of the latex type adhesive and can be applied to the base strip in a fine line, and in addition the adhesive can be applied from a tube and then the lash can be immediately affixed to the eyelid to adhere the false eyelash as closely to the natural lash hairs as possible.

I claim:

1. In a false eyelash to be used as a beauty aid, a root strip of nylon, and filaments of nylon defining lashes, and wherein the filaments and root strip are integrally joined 5 together by means of ultrasonic sealing without the use of an adhesive, coating, glue, knots or the like.

2. In a method of making false eyelashes, the steps of arranging at least one root strip adjacent to a plurality of filaments, and ultrasonically sealing the root .strips and filaments together, said root strips and filaments being fused into a unitary article.

3. In a method of making false eyelashes, the steps of arranging at least one root strip adjacent to a plurality of filaments, and ultrasonically sealing the root strips and filaments together, said filaments and root strips being made of nylon, and said root strips and filaments being fused into a unitary article whereby the root strips and filaments are joined together without the use of an adhe sive, coating, glue, knots or the like.

4. A method of making false eyelashes to be used as beauty aids comprising the steps of arranging a first coil on a support, then positioning at least one root strip contiguous to said first coil and above said first coil, then arranging a second helical coil over and around said root strip, and ultrasonically sealing the root strips and filaments together, and wherein the root strips and filaments are fused into a single unitary article.

5. A method of making false eyelashes comprising the steps of first arranging a protective guard on a mandrel, next winding a first coil of nylon monofilament in a helical manner around the mandrel, then arranging two root strips on top of the coil, and affixing the root strips to an end of the mandrel, then Winding a second coil of nylon monofilament over the two root strips, next heating the mandrel to cause the parts to take a permanent set, then cooling the mandrel, next ultrasonically fusing the root strips and filaments together and simultaneously cutting the same, subsequently subjecting the lashes to a punch mechanism, and applying adhesive thereto.

6. A method of making false eyelashes comprising the steps of arranging a first coil of monofilament in a helical manner on a mandrel, applying two root strips on the first coil, then applying a second helical coil over the two root strips, heating the mandrel, next cooling the mandrel, and then ultrasonically joining the root strips and filaments together.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,630,516 3/1953 Rausch et al l32-31 2,812,768 11/1957 Giuliano l32---5 FOREIGN PATENTS 621,278 4/ 1949 Great Britain. 921,662 3/1963 Great Britain.

ROBERT PESHOCK, Primary Examiner.

JAMES W. MITCHELL, Assistant Examiner. 

